Sylvan Lake
depth
Get directions
Depth scale
Survey readout
Sylvan Lake is mapped to a depth of 25 ft on the Minnesota DNR survey and covers about 322 acres in Morrison County, Minnesota. Depths come from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1958.
Measured from the Minnesota DNR lake bathymetric contour survey.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 25 ft
- Survey year
- 1958
- Surface area
- 322 acres
- Shoreline
- 3.59 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 2% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Shore Fishing Site · Sylvan Lake Reservoir Shore Fishing Site · Minnesota DNR site
Additional depth details5 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–25 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 25 ft, 15 ft
Provenance
Sources: MN DNR Lake Bathymetric Contours, USGS 3DEP, USDA NAIP (public domain), OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
⚠ Not for navigationSpot an error? Send a correction
Map details & sources4 sources
All layers registered to one bounding box; positions in WGS 84.
Survey-derived depth contours drape over USGS 3DEP elevation, with a USDA NAIP aerial basemap and OpenStreetMap shoreline. Color shows surveyed depth; dark lines are the survey's own isobaths.
- Coordinates
- 46.31113, -94.38922
- MN DNR lake ID
- 49003600
- Vertical exaggeration
- 2.83×
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.3 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-25Sylvan Lake has a mostly natural, lightly developed setting, generally sheltered geometry, some nearby classified roads.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Very Good | 24.2 of 35 | 73% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (57% forest, 15% wetland; 14% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Very Good | 19.3 of 29 | mean fetch 952 m · 14% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · generally short fetch |
| Motor & speed rules | Not modeled | — | Minnesota’s lake-by-lake motor, speed and no-wake rules are mostly county and city ordinances, not map data, so they are not part of the Minnesota index. Check local signage and ordinances before going out. |
| Public access | Good | 12.3 of 18 | 1 DNR public access site · shoreline access |
| Road isolation | Good | 9.4 of 18 | some nearby classified roads · 2 MnDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 753 vehicles/day |
Additional paddling considerations
These describe the lake but are not part of the v1 Paddling Index and do not change the number above.
- Wake sensitivity
- Low — wide enough that wakes disperse over most of the lake
- Aquatic vegetation
- Low — approximately 2% mapped coverage · NAIP aerial imagery (NDVI)
- Observed motorized activity
- Unknown — No lake-level measurement of boat traffic is available. Legal permission to operate motors is not evidence of use.
- Wildlife habitat potential
- Moderate — 57% forest and 15% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
- State water trail
- On a state water trail — Part of a designated Minnesota State Water Trail: Crow Wing River. · MN DNR State Water Trails
Compare Minnesota lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys & active stocking17 species with recent evidence in this lake — sized relative to each other. Illustrations are AI-generated representative adults in everyday colors, not photographs (provenance).
Common Carp
Silver Redhorse
White Sucker
Shorthead Redhorse
Hybrid Sunfish
About these fish → the Fish of Minnesota guide
Fishery
surveyed 2014Gamefish Largemouth Bass 52 · Bowfin 15 · Northern Pike 9 · Smallmouth Bass 5
Panfish Bluegill 238 · Pumpkinseed 11 · Black Crappie 8
All survey species17 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
DNR stocking
state stocking record · 2016–2025Fish the Minnesota DNR has planted in this lake — what was added, distinct from what a survey netted above.
Infested waters listing
listed via connectionMussels & snails
- Faucet SnailListed in 2025 because this water is connected to Crow Wing River. The species has not necessarily been found in this lake.
- Zebra MusselListed in 2025 because this water is connected to Crow Wing River. The species has not necessarily been found in this lake.
What does the infested waters list mean?
The Minnesota DNR lists a lake, river, pond or wetland as infested when it contains an aquatic invasive species that could spread to other waters, or when it is connected to a water where one is present. Activities such as bait harvest and water use are managed differently on infested waters. Check the current list before moving water, bait or equipment.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. List of Infested Waters, September 9, 2026. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/infested.html
Sylvan Lake — common questions
How deep is Sylvan Lake?
The deepest contour on the Minnesota DNR bathymetric survey of Sylvan Lake is 25 ft. That is the deepest depth the historical survey map records, which may differ from the deepest point of the lake itself.
How big is Sylvan Lake?
Sylvan Lake covers about 322 acres in Morrison County, Minnesota.
What fish are in Sylvan Lake?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include largemouth bass, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, black crappie, bluegill. The page lists all 17 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Sylvan Lake?
Yes, from shore. The Minnesota DNR lists a public access site on Sylvan Lake: a shoreline fishing site. It is administered by Cass County, Highway Department. DNR directions: "Fisherman's Bridge, above the Sylvan Dam. From Baxter, 2 mi W. on Hwy 210, then S 4 mi on Co Rd 36. Site is at the SE corner of the Gull River Bridge. Shorefishing."
